Dear
Family and Friends December
2011
You
know it happens every year & this year was no exception…The Holidays kind
of snuck up on our family!! Every year we say it’s not going to happen &
BAM!! Here we are half way over with December already!
This
year seemed to be a more trying year not only for our family but for many of
our extended family and friends. But
isn’t it funny the blessings that come from our trials and tribulations. As we approach this coming year, I hope we
remember those blessings.
This
year seemed to be a busy year for us and the kids…and when I say kids that
includes Cayla and Craig. Between
Church, work, sports, scouting, military, school…oh and moving, it’s no wonder
the year flew by! And that was only mentioning a few things.
Yes,
it was that time again…time to move. We
find ourselves in Goodyear, up in the Estrella Hills. This meant a new school for the boys and a
new Ward for us for church. We are
really enjoying the area so far. It’s a
very active community. Everyone enjoys
biking and running. Our family has taken
up biking, which we are loving. Suzi has
started running, which she hates but it helps her in training for her vertical marathons
she does every year. DJ has always been active so this area is great for
him. The wild life up here is
amazing…both good amazing and bad amazing!
So far we’ve seen it all (in our neighborhoods I might add)…rabbits (in
our yards even), ground squirrels, woodpeckers (which Suzi has a love hate
relationship with), raccoons, ducks, turtles, come kind of giant lizard,
tarantulas (yes that’s the BIG spider), coyotes, bobcats(living in
neighborhoods), mountain lions, and Suzi’s biggest fear of all time SNAKES!
We weren’t the only ones
that moved this year. Cayla and Craig
moved to Tempe to live closer to the college and to work. They have the cutest little apartment. They love having their own place. Both of
them are working hard in school and enjoying married life. It’s hard to believe that in November they
celebrated their 1 year anniversary. Both
of them work for ASU so living right next to the college makes it easy for them
to get to work. Cayla is also teaching
dance, which she loves and helping a family friend who takes professional
photos. Both of them are currently serving as Ward missionaries in their
ward…it seems they can’t get away from that calling. They had it in their last ward also, but they
really do enjoy sharing the gospel with others!
DJ is still a Detective
with DPS and for the last two years has been serving as the First Sergeant in
his National Guard Unit. He also teaches
a class at one of the colleges here in town.
He’s currently serving as a member of the High Council for our Chruch.
Between all of these he’s pretty busy but still finds time to get out and go
hunting. This year he was able to go out
and he got his Elk which really made him happy!! DJ got to go to scout camp
with Josh for the first time. He moved up to the Brotherhood in the Order of
the Arrow. When Josh completed his Ordeal, DJ went and had them use the sash he
got when he was Josh’s age for Josh. He’s getting ready the first of the year
to have surgery on his left knee…he forgets he’s not as young as he use to be,
so his body keeps reminding him!
Suzi just finished doing
a vertical climb for the American Lung Association in November. She cut almost 2 minutes off her time from
last year. She works hard at trying to keep everyone’s life as normal as
possible. When we moved into our new
ward she was called to serve as the Bear Leader in the Cub Scout program. As always if Suzi’s life wasn’t crazy and
busy she wouldn’t know what to do with
herself. But sometimes she dreams of a
less stressful life!
As always we hope this
next year is less stressful for everyone.
We pray the Lord will bless your family and watch over you always. From
our house to yours we hope you have a Merry Christmas and May your New Year be
Fun and Happy!
All
Our love, DJ, Suzi, Joshua and Seth Hansen
